RESPECT, PASSION, COMMITTMENT

I sit on the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Farmers’ Market. Its an elected position of which I enjoy and am proud to hold.

We had a meeting last night, which went on far too long, got home just before midnight! We are busy setting up the market for the coming year.

As I sat in the meeting, I looked around the table at the 10 directors and market manager, and realized what a talented, committed and diverse lot we are. There’s a farmer that produces over 850 varieties of fruits and veggies; a farmer with booths at several farmers’ markets and the Byward Market; another farmer who is strictly organic and very passionate about what she produces; another farmer that produces mainly corn (and other crops) for the large supermarkets; a farmer and musician with a small piece of land producing unusual produce; an unusual animal farmer who is also in the food court; a plant grower who is also a university professor; a young enthusiastic farmer trying to establish himself on rented land; a food court vendor who is also in high tech; the market manager a tireless ex-Metcalfe Farmers’ Market vendor; and then there’s me, somewhat in awe of these people for their passion and persistance for the Ottawa Farmers’ Market.

What I’m trying to say is, when you go to the O.F.M. or any market for that matter, remember the countless hours that go into organizing such endeavours. Farming is a high risk business with everything on the line each spring and yet these few spare the time to make this market happen.

I say well done! Hope you all come out to the Ottawa Farmers’ Market this year. Its bigger, better and there are a few surprises in store. We open May 9th to November 21, 2010….8 am to 3 pm.